Corydoras
Catfish(Corydoras spp.)

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The Corydoras catfish, Corydoras spp.,
is a
member of the
family Callichthyidae.
They are the sole genus in the tribe Corydoradini. There
are several different species of
Corydoras. They all share similar traits such as body size, shape and
behavioral habits. The distinguishing feature between the various
species is their color palette, some of which are quite striking.

Catfish are
bottom dwelling scavengers. Scavenger fish generally
have two traits in common. Their mouths are usually pointed downward.
And the mouth has barbels on either side. A barbell is a tentacle-like
organ that contains taste buds. They are used to find food and to feel
their way around on riverbed floors in the wild. The Corydoras catfish
has two barbells, one on either side of its mouth.

Corydoras
catfish are often referred to as armored catfish. This is
because they have two rows of bony plates on each side of their body.

Unlike most
scavenger fish, the Corydoras catfish is not strictly a
bottom dweller. The Corydoras is part of the Anabantoidei suborder.
This means that although they do have gills, they require both
atmospheric and dissolved oxygen in order to survive. Anabantoids or
labyrinth fishes have a lung-like organ that allows them to consume
airborne oxygen. The Corydoras catfish will frequently rise to the
surface of the water to gulp in needed air.

The Corydoras catfish is a
relatively small
frershwater fish. When
fully grown, they only reach a size of between two to three inches. The
dwarf corydoras or Corydoras pygmaeus is even smaller, reaching only
about one inch in length.

Corydoras
catfish
make great additions to community fish tanks.
They have a docile temperament. And they do a great job of cleaning up
food particles from aquarium substrate to help in the prevention of
harmful bacteriological build up.

Although
Corydoras are primarily bottom dwellers, they are shoaling
fish. They tend to congregate together in aquariums.
They even search
for food and rest together. It is not at all uncommon to see one
catfish resting his head on the body of another catfish. The catfish do
not necessarily even have to be the same species as long as they are of
the genus Corydoras. Because of their social nature, you should add at
least two or three to your tank. Corydoras are not meant to live a
solitary existence.

Corydoras are omnivores.
They will eat just
about anything they
come across on the aquarium floor. Sinking foods work best to insure
your Corydoras get their required food allotment. Unlike most bottom
dwellers, Corydoras have been know to rise to the surface to eat foods
such as freeze-dried worms. This may be because they need to
periodically rise to the surface to take in atmospheric oxygen.

Corydoras are
native to the rivers and streams of South America.
They thrive in neutral water (pH of 7.0) in temperatures between 70-79
degrees Fahrenheit.

You want to
use sand or rounded gravel as a substrate when keeping Corydoras to
help prevent them from damaging their barbels.

It is
not easy
to distinguish between males and females. Generally
the females’ bodies are a little wider than that of the
males.

Breeding Corydoras Catfish

The Corydoras
have some of the most peculiar mating habits found
among freshwater fish. They spawn in groups of three (1 female to 2
males), usually assuming a T position. The female places her mouth
against the male’s genital opening and swallows some sperm.
The
sperm
passes through her body rapidly and out onto the eggs she has just
released. The female then carries the eggs with her ventral fin to a
flat surface in the breeding tank and sticks them there until they
hatch.

After spawning has
occurred, the adult
should be removed from the breeding tank. The fry will hatch in a few
days.

Fry can be fed
liquid fish fry food. When they get a little older
their diet can be changed to newly hatched brine shrimp and then finely
crushed fish flakes.